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I am going to be in Europe at the end of September and would like to hike as high as possible using non-technical routes (class 2+ YDS). Could anyone suggest any good summits? Preferrably higher than 4200m (14000ft). Thanks.

Well in the alps you can't hike to 4200 m!

The closest you can get is perhaps the Lagginhorn, at 4010m. I think the only 4000er that you can consider a hiking summit. Other 4000er would be Allalinhorn and Breithorn (from Klein Matterhorn station), although non-technical, you are crossing glaciers there already so I wouldn't consider it hiking.

Other high hiking mountains that I know of are Schrankogel in the stubaier alps (nearly 3500m), and Mettelhorn (3400m) near the Matterhorn.

Generally speaking, above 3300m the hiking summits become very scarce. Especially at the end of september these high hikes might become out of condition due to snow and ice.

Rick B wrote:Well in the alps you can't hike to 4200 m!

The closest you can get is perhaps the Lagginhorn, at 4010m. I think the only 4000er that you can consider a hiking summit. Other 4000er would be Allalinhorn and Breithorn (from Klein Matterhorn station), although non-technical, you are crossing glaciers there already so I wouldn't consider it hiking.

Other high hiking mountains that I know of are Schrankogel in the stubaier alps (nearly 3500m), and Mettelhorn (3400m) near the Matterhorn.

Generally speaking, above 3300m the hiking summits become very scarce. Especially at the end of september these high hikes might become out of condition due to snow and ice.

Rick, I can´t agree with you that Lagginhorn is a hiking summit!!! When you have perfect conditions (warm, sunny...) you can ascent via a small glacier (but rockfall there) and via rocks (difficulty I, 1 small part II). In perfect conditions it´s really not so difficult. But what´s going on when there is snow on the ridge? Then you can´t hike anymore and you can get serious problems.

So my opinion is to make other mountains (not so high) where you can really hike...

schmid_th wrote:Rick, I can´t agree with you that Lagginhorn is a hiking summit!!! When you have perfect conditions (warm, sunny...) you can ascent via a small glacier (but rockfall there) and via rocks (difficulty I, 1 small part II). In perfect conditions it´s really not so difficult. But what´s going on when there is snow on the ridge? Then you can´t hike anymore and you can get serious problems.

So my opinion is to make other mountains (not so high) where you can really hike...

Yes you are right that it's not the best idea to do it, especially in late september. I shouldn't have 'advised' it at all. Basically he should just aim one kilometer lower and he should be fine.

The altitude is just a man-made number, which can mean really different things in different parts of the world.

Thank you very much for the suggestions.

Rick B wrote:Basically he should just aim one kilometer lower and he should be fine.

The altitude is just a man-made number, which can mean really different things in different parts of the world.

May I ask for more detailes please? As soon as 4 km is going to be technical at the end of September anyway, what would be your suggestions regarding 3+ km? I actually have an idea to put together 1-week long plan not requiring long drive from point to point.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Alex Hiker, I am also an American who has asked the same question you are asking. "Where can I have a great climb without taking tons of gear and a partner?" I can tell you that in the Alps there are plenty at the 10,000 foot level that are exciting and at the same time doable. But you need to refine your search a bit. If you know you are going to be in Innsbrück, Munich, Zermatt, Bern or Kandersteg, you will be able to get beta from people in those areas. Do you know where you will be climbing or at least where you will be visiting? Narrow it down a bit (if possible). What else do you want to do while you are there? Will you be alone or with your family? Will you be hiking hut to hut or renting a car? You should know what kind of trip you want first and then find a mountain (or mountains) that suits you.

If you have no expectations then check my trip report for the Habicht (which is over 10,000 feet, no real glacier and totally beautiful) or the Hohe Geige (same). I would recommend either of those if you are fit and skilled in scrambling. I would not recommend either of them if the weather is anything less than perfect.

I have a question of my own for all you guys... I will be in Switzerland (around Bern) and want to do a climb that includes scrambling, easy rock and snow and lots of elevation. I was looking at the Hockenhorn and the Steghorn but was curious if there is anything else that people would recommend. I can't "push it" because my brother-in-law is coming with me and hates roping up or putting on his harness...

there are no hikingmountains above 4000m in the alps, although there are some easy 4000ers. Lagginhorn is not the easiest, but the only one without glacier. A nice mountain in september would be the testa grigria, with a bivaouc 300m below the summit. The monta rosa massif offers a lot, if you really want to go beyond 4000, you should hire a guide, for the easy mountains they are not to expensive, 100 euro per person. As other regions I can recommend national parc des Ecrins (france) and Gran Paradiso (Italy). Plenty of nice hikes and a beautiful nature (because it are national parcs).

I forgot. If you go in september, the pyrinees, pyrenees (whatever) in spain and france would be a serious option, marvellous in autumn en much more summit-hiking opportunities